Thursday, April 24, 2008:
Asking and Waiting
Just when I was about to give up, He made a way. One that was so miraculous, When I thought it was not even possible. He showered me with His blessings, and showed me the power of Prayer. Yes, it works and it is proven. He never shortchanges me. I am so amazed.
"God did not promise days without pain; laughter without sorrow; sun without rain - But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."
Saturday, April 19, 2008:
On the right track
First week of school has just ended. It is amazing how many things have already been done in such a short time. I am feeling at the will. And I have never been happier in my life. This is it. Doing what I am suppose to do. Business and Social Enterprise.
-selfless shoe, don't fail me now.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008:
Does Size Really Matter?
Sorry guys, it's been awhile since i last post. Well, been busy lately, had a camp, and school just started recently. It's 3rd day today! Life in Ngee Ann Poly is fun but tiring at the same time. But I'm pretty happy with where i am. Well, we had a telematch today, all the different schools of Ngee Ann Poly competing in games, cheers etc..
At first, when the school (of Humanities) leader called me and ask me to represent the school, i thought it was some small lame competition, but nevertheless, i went. I thought it was a informal event. I was wrong! It was HUGE! I walk out from the briefing room to the track, i was in shock! There were hundreds/thousands of people cheering at the stands! And I told my friend "Wow i thought this was a small competition?" He was pretty surprised too. Hahas.
Our school had the least amount of supporters, compared to the rest of the schools like School of Business, Engineering, Health Science, etc.. As we were the smallest faculty, only having 4 courses and a few hundred students. Mind you, Ngee Ann has 16,000 students. So yes, our school is the tiniest.
But we were not scared, and we just cheered as loud as we can with the hand-full of students we had. Even the lecturers and principal of our school came to suppor ust! And although we were little in numbers, we cheered louder than schools that were 2 times our size! And guess what? In the 4 races, we got 1st for 2 of them, and 2nd for 1, and our school was crowned the overall champion!! My leader pushed me up to collect the medals for the school and shake hands with the VIP. I did not know who he(VIP) was at first, i just smiled when i was at the grand stand, collect the prize, took a photo and said thanks.
I later found out, he was the director of Ngee Ann Poly!! Anyway, it's only the 3rd day, and i already got a gold medal and a handshake with the school's director. Hahas! Can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next 3 years. God is good. He surprises you when you least expect it. Anyway, lesson learned, size does not matters! It's the spirit! So don't despise small and humble beginnings. Use what you have and develop it.
Conclusion, Small size+Big heart= Big results
Monday, April 07, 2008:
The Power of Giving
In my previous post i mentioned that giving and sacrificing is an essential tool in making a difference. Today I'm going to elaborate more about that. In this modern world, that is getting less and less compassionate. We know that people are more interested in taking, saving and spending, than anything else. But not many know this, that it is much more a blessing to give than to receive. Let me give you an illustration.
Some of you might have heard the story of Elisabeth Elliot before, the story goes like that. In the early 1950s, a young woman named Elisabeth Elliot went to Ecuador with a group of missionaries in hope to reach out to the Quicha Indians. Among the group was a man named Jim, a man who later married to her, and eventually had a daughter with her, named Valerie. After 2 years being married, Jim and four other missionaries felt a need to make contact with a group of Indians called the Auca. The Indians had a fierce reputation. The earliest record of any contact was in the 1600s. Since then, they attacked every outsider who came their way. Even the Ecuadoran Indians avoided them because of their brutality.
As Jim and the others prepared to make contact, Elisabeth knew that the 5 men would be putting themselves in danger, but she was resolute. The two of them had given their lives to this mission. For several weeks, a missionary pilot flew a plane over the Aucan village and dropped supplies and other items as gifts. They even included pictures of themselves to prepare he tribespeople for their first contact.
A few weeks later Jim ad four others landed on a small stretch of beach on the Curraray River and set up camp. There they made contact with three Aucans- a man and two women- who seemed to be friendly and receptive. And in following days, they met with several others. They told their wives by radio that they seemed to be making significant progress in befriending the tribe.
But then few days later, the men failed to check with the base camp at an appointed time. Their wives waited in vain for them. They feared for the worst.
A search party went to look for the men and radioed bad news. They had spotted the body of a white man floating in the river. The searchers found the men, one by one. With each of them the same: he had been slashed with Aucan spear. All five of them were dead.
Under those circumstances, many people in Elliot's shoes would have gone home. It's one thing to be willing to give up a comfortable life in the United States to help other people it's quite anoher to give up your spouse. But Elliot had a truly generous heart. Despite her terrible loss, she still wanted to help the people of Ecuador. She stayed and served the Quichuans with whom she was living.
What happen after that was more remarkable. Other missionaries continued trying to make contact with an Aucan village. After a couple of years, they succeeded. Immediately Elisabeth Elliot rushed over to the village. Was it to seek revenge? No, it was to work with the people and serve them. Elliot lived and worked among the Aucan people for two years, and many of thm gladly accepted the message of God's love she carried- including two of the seven men who had killed her husband.
Story referrence from- John C. Maxwell (The 21 Indispensable qualities of a Leader)
Isn't that amazing? The ability to give even your life. See, Jim and the others could have saved their own lives and killed the Aucans. They had guns with them, they could have shot the Aucans while they were attacking them. But they didn't! They cried shooting towards the sky, as they were being speared to their death. Knowing that, the Aucans weren't ready to go to heaven, and they were. Yes, they died a horrible death. But they saved a whole generation of Aucans, and they caused the extinction of brutality and violence in Ecuador.
Now I'm not asking you to give your life! But, what I'm trying to say is, don't be afraid to be generous. As it is truly better to give than to receive.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
-Jim Elliot
Sunday, April 06, 2008:
Parable of the Star Thrower
Yes I know! It's the star thrower again! Hahas, but I am constantly reminded of it as, that poster is right on my computer desk. For those of you who heard about this story before, BRAVO! But, I just felt that it was time to share it with other people too. And explain what is the meaning and the moral behind that story. For those of you who didn't get it (I hope you did). It was about making a difference. Making a difference in the lives of the people around you. Yes, people! Not just starfishes! Let me give you an illustration.
This is Based On A TRUE story. There was once, a guy name Mark. Mark was on his way home after school one day. As he was walking, he accidentally bang into a guy called Jack. That collision, caused the books on Jack's arm to fall to the ground. He immediately apologised, and helped pick all the books that was on the ground. Mark was wondering "What's this guy doing carrying so many books?" So he asked where Jack lived. Upon finding out his house was just around the corner, and along the way to his own, Mark offered to lend a helping hand and lighten the load of Jack, by carrying half of his books. As the 2 were walking, Mark started talking. Being a very extrovert guy, he broke the ice. And soon, Jack was opening up and talking too. They soon reached Jack's house. Jack enjoyed Mark's company and invited him to his house to drink some coffee. And soon time just flew they chatted, played computer games and had dinner together. Their friendship just took off in just a few hours! They continued keeping in contact for the next few weeks. After a few months, they were like best friends and brothers. Then One day, Jack went up to Mark.
He said, "Mark, I need to tell you something."
Mark replied, "Yea sure what is it?"
A tear rolled down Jack's eye as he swallowed his saliva.
Mark was shocked and asked, "Jack, are you alright? Did something happen?"
"No." He answered. "Thanks you saved my life."
Mark was confused now, "What are you talking about?"
Jack answered, "You see before I met you, I had no friends. I felt so rejected, and no one seemed to care. I have no family, to support me and I am always alone. That day, when we first met, I packed up my lockers, took all my books and was going to go home to end my life(commit suicide). But that day, as i was walking home, I banged into you. And you were so nice to me. When you talked to me i felt warmth and acceptance for the first time in my life! And I knew, I had just found someone who truly cared. After you left my house that day, I knew, I wasn't alone anymore. That thought of ending my life left immediately! Thanks brother, because of you, I am alive today!"
The End.
See, Mark never knew that just by carrying a load of books, he could save a life! Lesson learnt, We can ALL make a difference. whether BIG or small the sacrifice. Don't think that only by doing the BIG things, and solving the problem, you are making a difference. My belief is this, that it's always the small sacrifices that shows a big heart. So I challenge you today. Make a difference in someone's life. Just simple things, like buying a meal for you friend. It can even be a stranger, in the train, in the bus, give up your seat for them! That's a sacrifice. It'll make someone's day! Don't be afraid to sacrifice, don't be afraid to give! All that is not given is lost. Be a Star Thrower today!
-To the world, you're just one person. To one person, you just might be the world!
Saturday, April 05, 2008:
The Star Thrower
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance. As he got closer, he realised the figure was that of a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The youth replied, "Throwing a starfish into the ocean. You see, the sun is coming up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
"Son" the man said , "don't you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't possibly make a difference?"
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, "For that one, it made a difference."
-By Joel Barker
Wednesday, April 02, 2008:
Hey Guys, I decided not to let my blog be the team's blog. Hahas.
So i created another blog for the team.
http://eagles-united.blogspot.com/
Go check it out!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008:
NOTICE
For ALL the players. As you guys know there'll be a match this coming sunday. So, it also means, we need to train! We seriously need to work on our fitness, and step up our game. We don't need talented players or skillful players who think they are indespensable. But what we need is committed players, who are willing to train hard, even though they know, they may not be the best. Hard-working people always out-do, talented but lazy people. I know you guys are busy, and honestly we all are! But can we at least sacrifice about an hour and a half, just once a week? For training. It will really make a big difference. If every player is willing to set apart a little time for this team. Seriously, I think we can really make it. And who knows we can even join leagues or competition. But first, we need discipline and commitment. Coming for training for example. We don't just gather for training for no reasons. But we do it because team bonding and chemistry is as important as individual skills and talent. I'm sure you guys know that a team is only as strong as its weakest player. Of course, if you've really got something important to do, we won't be unreasonable, and we'll let you go. But please don't abuse that, and keep skipping training. It's not just a team, it's OUR team. If you're not actively joining us, and you just take the jersey and leave, then how can u say you are a part of this team? And if you think it's okay, I'm sorry, it's not. No matter how good a player you are. If you feel this is too much and you're not up for this, sms me or tag and lemme know that you are not able to be in this team anymore.
But if you are ready to rock out on the field, and continue on our unbeaten run, join us for training this week!
Date: 3 April '08, Thursday
Time: 4pm
Venue: Commonwealth field (Field training so please bring along your boots)
